Northrop to bid or not to bid ?

MOBILE, Ala. - Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions said it looks like the Air Force tanker contract competition is biased in favor of Boeing.

It's the $35 billion battle that Northrop Grumman wants to win for Mobile. FOX10 News Reporter April Douglas talked with the Senator and says if the rules aren't changed Northrop may not even bid

Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions calls the tanker saga a shootout. Sessions calls the new request for proposals disturbing and unfair.

"Of the six criteria, Northrop Grumman EADS won, during the last competition five of those were downgraded in importance in the new request for proposal (RFP). In contrast of the eight that were upgraded seven favor Boeing. I think this is more than a coincidence. Raises real questions of bias," said Sessions.

Senator Sessions believes the closely watched competition was fixed on purpose to favor Boeing. When asked whether Sessions has the political support in Congress to do something, he said he expects the Department of Defense to do its job.

Another problem Sessions sees with this battle is coming up with a guaranteed price. He said the Air Force asked for a game changing transformational aircraft, he believes the new RFP doesn't demand it.

Sessions said the KC 45 has better fuel capacity and more cargo space.

"Every category Northrop Grumman's plane exceeds Boeing," he said.

Everyone agrees the current refueling tanker is outdated and needs to be replaced. But, not everyone agrees who is right for the job.

Northrop Grumman has said if it doesn't get a fair shot at the competition that it would not go forward.

"That would be heartbreaking and detrimental," Sessions said.

The Department of Defense is now in a comment period before issuing final guidelines for bids.

Congressman Davis sends letter to Senator Murray regarding her recent remarks on Alabama

Washington-Congressman Artur Davis sent a letter to Washington Senator Patty Murray Tuesday condemning her recent remarks regarding production in the state of Alabama.

The letter was released following comments Sen. Murray made on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered saying “I have stood on the line in Everett, Wash., where we have thousands of workers who go to work every day to build these planes. I would challenge anybody to tell me that they've stood on a line in Alabama and seen anybody building anything."

Davis’s letter can be read by clicking here.